Is being a publicist (like Colin Farrell's "Stu Shepherd" character) in itself a disrespectable job?

Hi folks, I was kinda wondering, yes there are nice and less than nice people on all jobs but in your opinion, is being a publicist, like Stu Shepherd's character's job is over here, in itself, disrespectable?

Especially since, even counting the fact that he did it at sniper's gunpoint, he told the other person - "Adam, if you're watching, don't be a publicist you're too good for it".

And speaking of Adam, if he decided NOT to be one, what other/alternative job based on his skills and education CAN he find, especially since he could be in a position where he really NEEDS the money, and even educated people can have difficulties finding a job? (Maybe Stu Shepherd could have directed him somewhere and write a reference later on, no?)

Come to really think of it, in Shepherd's case, did he become a publicist because it is a well paid job and he studied hard for it or did he receive it on account of his rather negative qualities, like abilities to lie in public etc?